ASTWOOD Bank produced their best result of the season so far by inflicting Birmingham League Division Three leaders Hawkins C&R's first defeat on Saturday.

An impressive fifth-wicket stand of 78 by Pete Alexander and Thomas Harris and some effective bowling stunned the table-toppers.

Victory reflect's newly-promoted Bank's growing confidence with two wins and a high scoring draw in the last four games cementing their position in mid-table.

With four teams relegated this season, the Worcestershire League championships cannot rest on their laurels but captain Steve Adshead believes this result will only boost the team's confidence.

He said: "We're delighted with the result and the performance.

"Pete and Thomas forged a really good partnership and it gave us a good score to defend.

"It's important to have depth when it comes to batting.

"The top four know they have to score runs but this kind of result takes the pressure off them, particularly if they know there are guys down the order who can also score runs.

"I always say runs breed runs so this result will definitely help.

"Overall, the team has gained a lot of confidence and this is an excellent result against a team who had been playing well.

"We're the first side to have batsmen half centuries this season."

Adshead won the toss and decided to bat first. The skipper lead from the front with a swift 56 off 66 balls but the home team lost Alex Robinson (7), Brandon Miller (0) and Sam Thomas (4) for a handful of runs.

But Alexander (40) and Harris (81) guided them from 92 to 170, while slightly wayward bowling from Hawkins also yielded 32 extras as Astwood reached 236-9.

Dan Thomas continued his good form with the ball, taking four wickets, as Astwood's opponents were dismissed for 14-2 in 30 overs.

At one stage, Hawkins were 40-5 before the middle order wagged and Adam Lawley (30) and Shazad Malik (38) got among the runs.

But Adam Watson (2-37) and Thomas Harris (2-17) also played well as Astwood completed a well-deserved victory.

"Dan has bowled consistently well this season but hasn't been rewarded with the wickets he deserves, so it was good to see him get four," added the captain.